May 2015 Community Focus by Community Focus

Pleasant Hill • Concord • Martinez • Lafayette • Walnut Creek

MAY 2015 Reaching Over 50,000 Homes & Businesses

IN THIS ISSUE: • VISITING BENICIA ourcommunityfocus.com

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Benicia Calling

Head Over the Bridge to Benicia

ake the day off; pack a friend or two in the car, and head over the bridge to Benicia. The easy fifteenminute drive is just far enough to feel like a get-away, and the beauty of the Benicia shoreline on a sunny day and the charms of its tidy main street and downtown shops will relax and refresh you. Start at the bottom of First St., where the stunning view of the Carquinez Strait across Port Costa and down to the Carquinez Bridge will remind you just how fortunate we are in our surroundings. You’ll want to pop into the former Southern Pacific Train Depot building – charmingly restored in 2001 and currently home to the Benicia Main Street Program – to find information, maps, a calendar of events, and other informative publications, including a handy historic walking tour guide with descriptions of 25 points of interest from Benicia’s past. http://www.beniciamainstreet.org/ Peruse First Street, speckled with unique shops, and you are sure to find some new additions to perk up your home or outdoor space or a new piece to spice up your jewelry collection. Benicia is home to many glass studios and art galleries, so there are one-of-a-kind creations behind every door. After meandering through shops, strolling the waterfront, and browsing

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the art studios, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when your stomach starts growling. Camellia Tea Room is always a treat for an elegant lunch, dessert, or afternoon tea. First Street Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and they offer over a dozen beers and sixty wines to compliment the menu. Lucca Bar & Grill is a friendly establishment with indoor and outdoor dining. They offer gastro-pub style cuisine, and their comfortable, full service bar has an extensive cocktail menu that uses seasonal fresh fruits and herbs. Sailor Jack’s classic seafood and fusion dishes are served in a friendly atmosphere with a sparkling waterfront view. For more information on these restaurants visit: www. camelliatearoom.com, www.firststcafe. com, www.luccabar.com and www.sailorjacks.com. A stop at The Loft Wine Bar should definitely be on your agenda. The tasting room and bottle shop offers wine flights, beer on tap, and delicious small plates and desserts. Owner Jason Diavatis is proud to feature wines that are not available in any other local bar, restaurant, or grocery store. His passion for special wines is evident with every pour. Visit www.wineattheloft.com to view their hours and read their blog.

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

Julie Says

The Insomniac Challenge BY JULIE ROSS Just close your eyes, relax, and drift off to dreamland. Sorry, I’m afraid that’s easier said than done. For some of us, the problem is an inability to doze off at bedtime. For others, it’s the middle-ofthe-night awakening when we just can’t seem to shut back down. I asked some friends for their strategies in handling the late-night, mini

SUBMIT A STORY Have something to share? Deadline for submissions is the second Friday of each month. info@ourcommunityfocus.com

anxiety attacks that keep them awake. Most said they turn to their phone for amusement or to catch up on things. Is that a good idea? A quick Internet check revealed that it is not. Sleep experts claim that the glow from electronic devices can make matters worse by disrupting our circadian rhythm, nature’s daily light/dark cycle. Sounds plausible. So, what other advice do experts provide? One tip that is pure genius is “Sleep when sleepy.” Really, these experts get paid for providing advice like that? Another gem: “Keep the bedroom quiet while sleeping.” And here we were filling the room with barking dogs and a marching band. My favorite contradictory tips were “Use a sleep diary,” followed by, “No clock watching.” Just how am I going to keep a sleep diary without looking at the clock to note the time I remained sleepless? And just how am I going to make an entry about what

time I fell asleep, as I will be asleep? Apart from this slew of state-theobvious expert advice (here’s a free tip from me: try to avoid sticking a pencil in your eye at bedtime!), I did find a couple of interesting tidbits. Eating cherries or drinking tart cherry juice has been shown to help induce sleep because cherries are rich in melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland of our brain, which helps control our sleep/wake cycles. Having a banana might also be a good idea. Bananas are rich in tryptophan, which our body eventually converts to mood-balancing serotonin and sleep-regulating melatonin. I enjoyed coming across Benjamin Franklin’s sleep ritual. He would ask himself every night, “What good have I done today?” A nice affirmation (assuming you actually did something good), and a daily reminder to ask yourself every morning, as he did, “What good shall I

do today?” And now it’s time for a bit of fun. When my friend Margaret wakes up in the middle of the night, she creates hypothetical book titles. Some address situations that cause anxiety in her life, while others touch on amusing aspects. Here is one example of each: Money I Don’t Have: My First 5 Years as an Entrepreneur and The Art of Abstract Towel Folding: Teenagers Help With Laundry. It’s nice to be able to bring a smile to your sleep-deprived state. So, here is your challenge – the next time you wake up in the middle of the night, think up some book titles that describe your insecurities, worries, successes or humorous situations. Write them down in your sleep diary (or not) and then email them to me by the end of May. We’ll print some of the best ones in the July issue. Send your insomniac book titles to julieakross@comcast.net by midnight on May 31.

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may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening and building connections within our community.

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far the best Flaskerud are by a m or N d an ounty. Don Contra Costa C in M A E T te ta real es process step of the selling y er ev e ad m ey through Th pricing all the way al iti in m fro , ss le through pain point to walk me a it e ad m ey Th closing. and all k, answering any all the paper wor ed decisions, me make inform questions, helped and every ery “i” was dotted ev re su e ad m d passion, an te is their life and ta es al Re d. se os e first “t” cr certainly sense th ll u’ yo at th ng hi e for somet LD another hom SO . em th t ee m time you good old rvice, just like the me!!! Incredible se Lafayette a le of this home in sa e th e ad m , ys da remodeling Starting with the e. nc rie pe ex AT ion for GRE home in preparat e th of n tio va no hing, and re ok care of everyt to a m or N d an h, and sale, Don ork was top notc w e Th . G IN TH yes EVERY the home, to the staging of every detail down was perfection. at was we had an offer th Don Within 48 hours te lling stra gy that se e th d an f, lie beyond be as the driving recommended w and Norma had ce, if you ith 100% confiden w y sa n ca I e. rc fo in your real ma to assist you or N d an on D ct . They sele ’t be disappointed on w u yo s, ed ne estate your family and make will treat you like remember. experience one to

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

Here comes Yum! A LOCAL Guide to Good Food

A publication for the Diablo Valley dedicated to finding really good food close to home. Published four times a year Content & ads always seasonal. Delivered to 82,000 homes and businesses in Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Martinez & Walnut Creek inserted inside the Community Focus, the Clayton Pioneer and the Concord Pioneer

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may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Travel Trends

Set Sail from San Francisco BY MARGARET MINOR Not only do we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth - the San Francisco Bay Area, we are fortunate to have a brand new cruise port at San Francisco’s Pier 27. Having opened last September, the new cruise port will see 81 ship dockings and 300,000 people through its doors in 2015. Princess Cruises operates all year round from San Francisco and offers itineraries for everyone: Oh, Alaska! Getting to Alaska can’t be any more convenient than leaving from San Francisco. With 10-night itineraries departing from May to September, hop on board and delight in the beauty of majestic glaciers, un-touched wilderness, and wildlife galore. Ideal for families, couples and solo travelers, cruises offer activities for everyone in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan: from dog sledding to lumberjack shows, from whale watching to culinary feasts on a glacier, the hardest thing you’ll do on an Alaskan cruise is decide what to do! South of the Border: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, La Paz, Loreto, and Puerto Vallarta await you! Ten-night itineraries depart round-trip from San Francisco and give you plenty of time to enjoy both Princess’ stunning ships and four ports of call in Mexico. Shore excursions range from the active (kayaking, zip-lining, ATV exploration) to the relaxed (visits to local wineries and “beach breaks” at pristine resorts). Sample local cuisine

and culture with Princess’ escorted tours that will have you back on the ship in time for your evening activities! More of what we love, the Pacific Coast Cruise: Seeing California from a cruise ship is delightful! Relax on your floating resort as you take in the California sunshine. San Diego, Long Beach, and Santa Barbara offer a variety of shore excursions: harbor cruises, shopping, kayaking, cycling through vineyards, and picnics packed for you! Don’t overlook what a spectacular value these 7-night itineraries from San Francisco are. With prices from under $100 a night per person, you’ll enjoy scrumptious cuisine, impeccable service, and a ton of activities included in your fare! Bonus feature: On all departures, Princess Cruises offers the coveted “Chef’s Table,” which is essentially an onboard culinary excursion. You’ll be treated to gastronomic creations prepared by a select group of the culinary crew, a tour of the galley, and conversations hosted by the head chef! The Chef’s Table is reserved for groups of 10 people in a private dining area, so you’ll want to make reservations as soon as you board. There’s a cruise from San Francisco for every budget and taste. Get yourself on the vacation of a lifetime! Margaret Miner is the owner of VinoCruising, a full-service travel agency, and a certified Princess Cruise Line expert. She can be reached at mminer@ cruiseone.com.

Estate Planning

Incapacity Planning for an Elderly Family Member BY DANIEL DuREE You may be familiar with using a durable power of attorney for incapacity planning as part of your estate plan, however, what if you have a family member who has an estate plan in place but is starting to lose capacity due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or simply old age? With some basic steps, you can smoothly transfer management of financial, personal, and healthcare decisions without going through the painful process of declaring someone incapacitated. Transitioning Management of a Trust Generally, a person will serve as trustee of a trust until passing away or

being declared incompetent by two separate doctors. Only at that time will the successor trustee take control and start managing the trust property. However, management can be more easily transferred by amending the trust and making the first successor trustee a co-trustee. This way, the original trust creator can still help manage the property alongside the co-trustee and eventually leave the co-trustee to do most of the management. Another benefit to this is that the original trust creator need not be declared incompetent and will remain a co-trustee until death. This simplifies tax preparation as well because a separate tax return must be filed when the creator of the trust is no longer a trustee or co-trustee.

Transitioning Management of Financial, Personal, and Healthcare Decisions Similar to the trust management succession above, most Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Healthcare directives do not take effect until a person is deemed incapacitated by two doctors. However, if a family member is slowly losing capacity but is presently still competent, an immediate durable power of attorney and/or advance healthcare directive may be created to transition decision making to another person. With an immediate durable power of attorney, for example, the creator can still write checks, file taxes, etc., but their agent can also do these things on their behalf. So, instead of management going from only the principal having authority to only the agent having authority, there is a

Healthcare News

THE LAW OFFICE OF

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Discuss Long-Term Care

BY COLLEEN CALLAHAN In April I attended a conference in Orlando sponsored by the American Association of Medicare Supplements. It covered issues and trends in our aging population. There were sessions addressing buying styles for baby boomers, planning for retirement, and how the insurance market is changing because of health care reform. I was interested in the overall planning process. One speaker mentioned how many seniors are updating their homes so they can age in place compared to the percentage of those who need long-term care. The presentation addressed long-term care insurance and the increasing options available to people buying policies that cover illnesses such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease. A model has been developed for making planning process a team effort; aging parents need to engage willing children and family members, along

with trusted advisors. The most professional advisors agree it is best if everyone understands the plans, wishes, and desires of the parent. In fact, they suggest and welcome comprehensive team meetings. It occurred to me there are many books for young parents offering instructions, tips, and coaching to help them raise children. I think parents also need to be mindful of the thoughts, feelings, fears, and questions of their adult children. Those children need to be treated with respect and need to be informed. It is a difficult time for all, but the conversations are important. Many of the people I meet who want to purchase long term care insurance have stories of their parents lacking planning and communication. They don’t want to do the same to their children. With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day in the United States, there should be plenty of conversations happening in our neighborhoods. Colleen Callahan Insurance Services is located in Pleasant Hill. Contact her at 925-363-5433 or ccallahan@ callahaninsurance.com.

smooth transition where both parties have legal authority to manage the principal’s finances. If the deteriorating capacity of a loved one is addressed early enough, you can transition management smoothly without having to resort to declaring the person incapacitated or going through the painful conservatorship process. As always, please consult with a licensed attorney before you make any decisions regarding incapacity planning. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give my office a call. I am happy to assist you in any way possible. Daniel L. DuRee is a third generation resident of Contra Costa County and a licensed attorney practicing in Walnut Creek. He can be reached at (925) 2101400 or visit www.DuReeLaw.com.

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

Curb Appeal First Impressions Matter BY GLENN ALLEN Curb appeal is the first thing buyers assess when they look at your house, and like all first impressions, it has an immediate psychological impact. If your home looks inviting from the outside, buyers can visualize themselves pulling into the driveway after a

long day of work before even stepping inside the door. And the sooner you make that emotional connection with the buyer, the better position you are in to sell your house quickly at the price you want. When working with my clients, my recommendations are geared towards making the biggest positive impact for each dollar invested. Typically we expect to double or triple the return on

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the investment when making improvements. You need to be smart about it, though. Focusing on these five key elements lets you spend less money while achieving high impact results. Clean Landscaping The buyer doesn’t want to see problems. They want a yard that is attractive and easy to care for. Fresh mulch in garden beds is a must; dark colors have the most impact. Adding color strategically with plants that have colorful blooms or foliage makes the house look like a home. Inviting Entrance Making changes to the front door boosts the property’s appeal. The fix might be as simple as removing the screen door or applying a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. Invest some time in staging the porch or entry area. Companion chairs or a bench let the buyer feel welcome; freshly potted plants add appeal. Fresh Color Palate Depending on your budget, the price point of the house and the existing color, consider repainting the entire house. But even focusing on just the trim strikes a new color balance and can transform the whole house. Crisp Details Make sure you have the exterior

of the home, garage, and drive expertly power washed. Replace broken screens, seal cracks in the driveway, and repair a broken gutter. Maintenance issues interfere with a buyer’s fantasy that this home will be a refuge from the outside world. Balanced Composition Curb appeal is about overall impression. Your house and yard should work together harmoniously and strike the right balance between comfort and elegance. Your property should appear both unique and appealing to most buyers in that price range. As an agent, I help sellers prepare the exterior of their homes and yards in a way that hits this balance. I can help you create curb appeal that hooks buyers from the moment they first see your house, while minimizing cost and maximizing impact. More information and suggestions can be found at my website www.EnhanceAndStage.com. For a free, no obligation enhance and staging consultation, please contact me. Glenn Allen, RE/MAX Real Estate agent, can be reached at glenn@TalkToGlenn.com, 925-709-1000 or visit www.TalkToGlenn.com/blog, phsalesreport.com and enhanceandstage. com.

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Luxury Event

Wine, Women & Shoes Fundraiser closest friends by the firemen themselves! Over 300 guests will kick up their heels Ladies will enjoy delectable nibbles for two great causes at the second annual provided by local restaurants, caterers, and Contra Costa County Wine Women & Shoes wines from Chateau St. Jean Bijou, fundraiser, May 17, 2015, 2– 6pm. This Valdez, Thomas George Estates, Boisset event is hosted by Pleasant Hill Recreation Family Estates, Cannonball Wine Company, & Park District (PHR&PD) at the Pleasant Hill Wente, and many more. Community Center and benefits PHR&PD Wine Women & Shoes tickets are $125 and Monument Crisis Center. for general admission. For tickets, “Speak the language of Manolo and visit www.winewomenandshoes. Barolo!” quips Kendra Luke, local event com/contracosta. For more information, coordinator and supervisor for PHR&PD. visit facebook.com/wwscontracosta. “We are very excited to host one of the Questions? Email Kendra Luke at kluke@ fastest-growing luxury event series created pleasanthillrec.com. for women by women in the U.S.” An event of this caliber would not be Enjoy top wines, shop the latest possible without the generous support of trends in the multi-designer marketplace, local event sponsors, including Republic enjoy a red carpet fashion show, and slip on Services, Land Home Financial Services, fantasy shoes served up on silver platters Contra Costa Oncology, Pleasant Hill Coin by charming local “Shoe Guys” who and Jewelry, Diablo Magazine, Digital AVS, are experts on the “fine art of wine and City of Pleasant Hill, Sunvalley Shopping shoe pairing.” Center, Vino Cruising, Union Bank of Pleas Guests will also have the opportunity ant Hill, Community Focus, Jack’s Restauto bid on one-of-a-kind auction items, rant and Bar, Steven’s Printing, Stonecliffe including a Napa Valley getaway and a Animal Rescue, firehouse dinner servedPleasant to you andHill your Community FocusWells Ad Fargo, and Astound.

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

City of Pleasant Hill

Mayor’s Message Drought We are now facing our fourth consecutive year of drought. Last year, Governor Brown declared a “drought state of emergency.” Now, over the last several weeks the news has continu-

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tions across the state. Subsequently, our water providers for Pleasant Hill, East Bay MUD, and Contra Costa Water District are moving forward with rate increases, drought surcharges, and limitation plans. I am proud our residents are answering the call for voluntary conservation and know we will all work hard to continue to conserve as we struggle through this drought. On April 21, the California Water Commission came to Pleasant Hill seeking input and providing information about how to allocate approximately $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 water storage funds. Planning for the future to prepare for an ever increasing need for water resources and future droughts should be all of our concern. I am excited to see the ideas and future of the Water Storage Investment Program. However, the current drought needs an immediate effort from all of us. Both EBMUD and CCWD have programs to assist us in conserving water. CCWD offers a Water Conservation Survey. They will come and inspect your home’s landscaping and irrigation and teach you ways to save. Both provide tips on leak and efficiency detection. A simple way to check for leaks within your home is to shut off all water using fixtures and appliances. Then,

read your meter and note the reading. Come back an hour later and see if the reading has changed. A change will identify a possible leak. Also, evaluate if it is time to upgrade to a more efficient toilet, washer, or dishwasher. Both may still have rebate programs for the purchase and installation of more efficient toilets or appliances. Check both EBMUD and CCWD websites at www.ebmud. com and www.ccwater.com for more information.

A Chance to Fight Cancer at Relay For Life Cancer afflicts or claims so many people that nearly everybody is touched somehow. A powerful way to participate in the fight against cancer is through Relay For Life, an awareness-raising and fund-raising event to support the American Cancer Society. The sixth annual Relay For Life of Pleasant Hill will be held May 30-31 at the Pleasant Hill Middle School track. It runs 10am, Saturday, to 10am, Sunday -- a 24-hour event to signify that cancer never sleeps and neither does the fight against cancer. To sign up or get more details, go to http:// relayforlife.org/pleasanthillca; e-mail relayforlifeph@yahoo.com; or call 925944-4898. You can find more information about the race on page 31.

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City of Pleasant Hill

City News Hilton Homewood Suites Update The Pleasant Hill City Council will conduct a public hearing to consider an appeal, filed by Pleasant Hill Citizens for Responsible Growth (PHCRG), of the decision by the planning commission to approve an application for a development plan permit for a two to four story (48 foot maximum height), 115 room, Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel. The hotel design includes 115 parking spaces, removal of 64 trees, and various adjustments to parking lot development standards at the site of the former Chevy’s Restaurant at 650 Ellinwood Way. The public hearing will be held by the city council starting at 7:30pm on Monday, May 4, in the city council chambers, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. The public can be heard at this time. According to their website, PHCRG “is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting sensible growth and development consistent with residents’ desires.”

Farmers’ Market is Back Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market returned on Saturday, May 2, on Trelany Road (next to City Hall). The market will be open every Saturday, 9am to 1pm, through November 14, for the season’s freshest produce. Throughout the season you’ll also find many new producers and products as well as live music and special events. If you need reusable shopping bags, pick them up at the market for free.

“Lose a Lawn and Get a Garden” Take advantage of an upcoming workshop by the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) designed for homeowners interested in replacing their water-thirsty lawns with beautiful, water efficient landscaping. Experts will provide advice on landscape design, plants, and drip irrigation. In addition, participants will learn about CCWD’s Lawn to Garden Rebate Program and Design Assistance Program. The free workshop will be held in the large community room at City Hall on Saturday, May 30, 9am to noon. To register, email conserve@ccwater.com or call 925-688-8320.

Zachary’s Pizza Art Contest! Zachary’s Employee Owners are excited to announce the 2015 Zachary’s Pizza Art Contest! Since 1989, Zachary’s Chicago Pizza has been sponsoring an art contest for local artists to showcase their talents and their love of pizza. Over the years, Zachary’s has received thousands of submissions and has chosen hundreds of winners from its many art contests. This year, all four Zachary’s locations (Oakland, Berkeley, Pleasant Hill, and San Ramon) will accept submissions. The winning art will adorn the walls of all four restaurants. In addition to displaying the winning art, Zachary’s will award the winners with a $100 Zachary’s gift certificate and two Zachary’s t-shirts. The subject of the art should be Zachary’s Chicago Pizza and it should include Zachary’s name and/or logo. The logo is available on the website as are images of past winning pieces (www.zacharys.com). Submissions from all ages are welcome! Each Zachary’s location will have paper canvas for the artist to use and copies of the entry form. Participants must submit their artwork on the paper provided and they must submit an entry form with their art. The deadline for this contest is May 16.

Upcoming Used Book Sales at the Library On Saturdays, May 9 and June 13, 10am - 3:30pm, head to the Pleasant Hill Library to get the best bargains on books and support your library. Recycle your old electronics for free at the same time! Children’s books are 25¢, paperbacks are 50¢, and hardbacks are $1 each. Better books, CDs, DVDs/Blu-rays will also be available. Early bird admission at 9:30am is free to members or $2 for non-members; bag sale is 1:30 - 3:30pm, and the cost for filling a paper grocery bag is $3. For an additional

City News Continued $2, you can purchase a Friends reusable blue bag, which is much larger than an ordinary paper bag. Entrance to the parking lot book sale is behind the library off Santa Barbara Road. There is no access through the library. For more details visit: fophl. org.

Citywide Garage Sale Returns Third annual city-wide garage sale returns on June 6. Some fun contests with cool prizes have been added this year. You can sign up if you wish to hold a sale at your home, or check out a map and listing of all sales’ locations. For more information, visit www.pleasanthillgaragesale.com.

Butterflies to Fly at Relay For Life® Nearly 100 Monarch butterflies will be released at this year’s Pleasant Hill Relay For Life to symbolize “on the wings of hope,” a wish for the end of cancer in our lifetime. The 2015 relay will be held the weekend of May 30-31 at the Pleasant Hill Middle School track. It is an awareness and fund raising event for the American Cancer Society. The 10am kickoff on Saturday will salute cancer survivors and the butterflies will be released later that morning.

Public Meetings Architectural Review Commission May 7, 21 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 5pm. Contact: 671-5209 Civic Action Commission May 6 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Small Community Room, 6:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 City Council May 4, 18 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:30pm. Contact: 671-5229 Library Task Force May 11 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Large Community Room, 11am. Contact: 671-5229 Planning Commission May 12, 26 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Council Chambers, 7:30pm. Contact: 671-5209 Education Commission May 27 City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Community Room, 7pm For Confirmation Visit: www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us

Chamber Calendar May 8 - East Bay Leadership Council’s 15th Annual Awards Luncheon 11am – 1:30pm. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord. Register at www.eblcsmallbiz.eventbrite.com. May 9 - Ribbon Cutting 10am. Farmers’ Market 10am. Trelany Road, PH. May 12 - Ribbon Cutting 5-6pm. Cancer Support Community,1885 Oak Park Blvd., PH. May 14 - Business Mixer 5-7pm. Village Music School, 1720 Linda Drive, PH. May 30 & May 31 - Relay for Life in Pleasant Hill, a 24-hour event 10am10am. Pleasant Hill Middle School track, 1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill. June 1 - Green Business Committee meeting 4-5pm. Daily Digital, 3440 Vincent Road, Suite I, PH. June 1 - Government Affairs Committee 5:30-7pm. Back Forty Texas BBQ, 100 Coggins Drive, PH. 680 Business Clubs, Business Building & Networking, meet twice monthly. Please call the Chamber office for more information. Every Wednesday OFF THE GRID Food Trucks 5pm - 9pm.Trelany Road, PH. ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

City of Martinez PHOTO BY STAHLBERG

Mayor’s Message One of the most important duties of a city council is to exercise its fiduciary responsibility and keep the finances the public has entrusted in its care safe, secure, and properly spent. An annual audit called a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is required to make sure a local government is properly handling its budget. The Martinez audit was performed by a crew of auditors working with finance department staff over a period of several weeks, up to eight hours a day. The final report was presented to the city council at its meeting on November 5, and the news was excellent. The financial condition of the city remains strong, and our Unrestricted Fund Balance (aka Rainy Day Fund) had increased by over $1.25 million to $5.7 million. This is a percentage increase from 23% to 29% of General Fund Revenues. Now, unless you are a CPA, all of this is pretty dry stuff, but it means that our prudent stewardship of public funds, combined with the improving economy,

provides more money to city services and capital improvements. With that in mind, the city council decided to take $1 million of that extra income and dedicate it to capital improvement projects, such as streets, roads, sidewalks, and other special projects. We also put $250,000 into a deferred maintenance account to maintain city hall, the senior center, and other city facilities. However, since we took that action 6 months ago, our income from the gas tax has dropped due to lower consumption and decreasing price of fuel. The California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) has notified us that the required contribution rates for employee pension plans will increase substantially. To help stem the tide of decreasing gas tax to the state and local governments, Senator Jim Beall has introduced SB16 to create a temporary 5-year funding mechanism to provide much needed funding to preserve and improve local roadways. Sen. Jim Beall’s plan, SB16,

Citizens of the Year The Martinez Chamber of Commerce held a banquet April 25 to celebrate the recipients of the 2014 Citizen of the Year awards. These are people or organizations that have served the community in extraordinary ways. Award recipients LtoR: Rose Clyne, Young Woman of the Year; Barb Lofton, Ambassador of the Year; Claudia Whitnah, Lifetime Achievement Award; Barbara Chambers, Woman of the Year; John Viano - Viano Vineyards, Business of the Year; Rami Muth, Teacher/Educator of the Year; Dwayne Glemser, Man of the Year; Photo by Richard Cash Harrison Brown, Young Man of the Year.

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

would expressly address the backlog of maintenance needs and is estimated to generate between $2.8 and $3.6 billion annually, with funds directed to maintenance and preservation of local streets, roads, and the state highway system. The senate plan proposes raising revenues through: • A 10-cent increase in the excise tax on gasoline and diesel • $35 Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) increase for all vehicles • A $100 VRF increase for zero-emission vehicles • Payback of outstanding transportation

loans over a three-year period • Truck weight fees would be returned to the transportation fund over a five- year period (20 percent annually). The general fund would be backfilled by a 0.35 percent increase in the VLF over the five-year period (raised in 0.07 percent increments over the five-year period). Preliminary estimates show that Martinez’ share would be from $750,000 to $960,000 annually. None of us likes to pay more taxes, but this type of revenue will provide tremendous help in bringing our streets and roads back to an acceptable condition.

Public Meetings

City Council Meeting May 6, 20 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 Design Review Meeting May 13, 27 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-5pm. Contact: 372-3500 Planning Commission Meeting May 12, 26 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 372-3500 Zoning Administrator Meeting May 6, 20 City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, 4-5pm. Contact: 372-3500 For Confirmation Visit: www.cityofmartinez.org

Chamber Calendar

May 9 - Studios on the Streets 12-6pm. Experience artists doing their crafts (painting, pottery making, sculpting, and much more) on the 500-900 blocks of Main Street, Martinez. Free admission and open to the public. Beer & wine available. Visit StudiosOnTheStreets.com or call the chamber office for more information. May 14 - Chamber Mixer 5:30-7:30pm. HJB Hoses and Rodan & Fields, 3660-A Pacheco Blvd., Martinez. Great networking, food and fun, raffle prizes. Bring a raffle prize and have your business announced! May 21 - Educational Series 12-1:30pm. Doors open at 11:30am. “LinkedIn – Part 2” presented by Christine Heuber. Creekside Church Multi-Purpose Room, 444 Fig Tree Lane. $10 chamber members, non-members $20. Non-members that join the chamber will get $10 credited towards membership. Lunch provided. All no-shows will be charged $10. Space is limited. RSVP to chamber required at least 2 days prior or email info@martinezchamber.com. May 25 - Office Closed for Memorial Day. SAVE THE DATE: June 20 & 21 - Father’s Day Weekend, 9th Annual King of the County BBQ Challenge & Music Festival 11am-6pm. Martinez Waterfront Park. Family fun, Lip Smackin’ BBQ, Rockin’ Music, BBQ competition, arts & crafts vendor booths, kids’ rides & activities, microbreweries & wineries, vendor space available, free admission & parking. Visit www.CountyBBQ.com or call chamber for more information!

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

City of Martinez

City News New Fees and Rules for Martinez Parks If you’re headed to any of the Martinez parks this summer, take note that fees and rules have changed. Inflatable structures such as jump houses are prohibited. In addition, ponies, dunk tanks, tents, plastic tarps, and portable grills are also banned in city parks.

Rental fees for Holiday Highlands Park The city will begin charging rental fees and taking deposits. The picnic areas consist of Holiday Highlands North and Holiday Highlands Creekside, each with two tables and seating for up to 16 people by the playground. The park will carry a $25 rental fee, with a $150 refundable deposit. Deposits for all parks will be set according to the size of the park. A sliding scale begins at $150 for 1-74 people, $300 for 74-249 people, and $600 for 250 plus people. Fees will be refunded if there are no issues with the park rental.

Youth Sports Fees

City News Continued This important community event is a fundraiser for the Martinez Rotary Foundation. All proceeds of ticket sales after nominal event expenses will go directly to projects that change lives close to home and around the world. Locally, funds raised will provide scholarships for students in Martinez schools, and donations to local support services including Shelter, Inc., The Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa, Boys & Girls Club of Martinez, and many other projects which change lives and build a stronger unified community. Registration opens at 7:30am. Registration, ride starting point and finish line, lunch, and after-party are all located in the bocce court parking lot at Martinez Waterfront Park. The ride begins at 9am. The cost is $30 for the 40K/25 mile ride; $30 and $65 for the 100K/65 mile ride. Price includes t-shirt, beverages & snacks along the route, mobile aid stations, & a gourmet boxed lunch upon return. Sign up for the ride on Eventbrite or visit http://www.martinezrotary.org/carquinez-century-bike-ride.html for more information.

Spring Oohs Ahs and Giggles This is a free performing arts series for children of all ages. The 45-minute shows begin at 3:30pm at Martinez City Hall council chambers and are sure to entertain you and your children. Shows are fully sponsored by the Martinez Restaurant Tour. Schedule: May 6 - Randel McGee and Goark; May 13 - Zappo the Magician; May 20 - Daniel DaVinci, The Juggling Genius; and May 27 - Boswick the Clown.

Youth sports fees for 2016 have increased from $2 to $3; 2017 fee increase from $3 to $5; 2018 fee increase from $5 to $7; and 2019 fee increase from $7 to $10.

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Studios on the Streets

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On May 9, the Martinez Chamber of Commerce will be producing Studios on the Streets from noon to 6pm along the 500-900 blocks of Main Street and vicinity in Martinez. The event will encompass works of visual artists as well as working visual artists. In addition, there will be mimes, music, and vocalists. There will be no tents on the streets, but rather umbrellas for artists, thereby allowing foot traffic to flow more easily in and out of businesses. Visual artists’ works will be displayed in a business adjacent to where the artist is working. For more information, visit: www.studiosonthestreetsmartinez.com. This event will be held in lieu of Open Studios.

YOUR PET FRIENDLY REALTOR FOR LIFE Save the Life of a Cat or Dog; a donation at your favorite Pet Rescue is made in Your Name with every transaction closed!

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Carquinez Century Ride On Saturday, May 9, enjoy a day of bike riding along both sides of the scenic Carquinez Strait. Choose a challenging 100K ride or an easier 40K ride. Both rides begin and end at Martinez Waterfront Park (in the parking lot next to the bocce courts), travel across the Benicia and Carquinez bridges, and include Martinez, Crockett, Vallejo, and Benicia. The 100K ride also includes a ride around the scenic San Pablo Dam. Ticket prices include an event t-shirt, plenty of beverages and snacks along the route, mobile aid stations, and a delicious gourmet boxed lunch provided upon your return. Additional food, beverages and other items will be available for sale at the finish line. The after-party will be open to the public; family and friends are welcome to join you and celebrate your accomplishment!

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

City of Walnut Creek

Mayor’s Message Pedestrianism and Walnut Creek Pedestrianism was a competitive sport that started in England in the 1800s with contests to see who could walk 50 miles in the shortest time. The sport spread to the United States, and watching people walk became America’s most popular spectator sport. One famous walker accomplished the feat of walking one mile every hour for 1000 hours between June 1 and July 12, 1809. Pedestrianism had the first celebrity athletes, corporate sponsorships, and its share of drug and fixing scandals. Some things never change. Moreover, trainers of the competitive walkers considered champagne a stimulant and advised their pedestrians to drink a lot during the race. Pedestrianism lost its popularity when

the safety bicycle was invented (replacing the penny farthing) because it was more interesting to watch the speed of a bicycle race than the speed of a pedestrian race. How does pedestrianism relate to Walnut Creek? First, while this is largely a car-dependent community, it also happens to be a highly walkable community. In addition to having downtown and open space areas, our city is fortunate to have several paved trails. There are three regional trails: the well-known Iron Horse Trail, the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and the Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail (which is unpaved when it goes through our open space). The Briones-Mt. Diablo trail is also named the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (a statewide trail) and the American Discovery Trail (a national trail). Walnut Creek

Bob Simmons, Mayor of Walnut Creek

also has several local trails: the Ygnacio Canal Trail, the Sugarloaf to Shell Ridge Trail, and the Shell Ridge to Lime Ridge Trail. It’s possible to walk through all four open space areas in one day with only a relatively short distance on city streets (from Acalanes to Sugarloaf)! Second, the city has just released its first-ever draft of a Pedestrian Master Plan for public review and comment. You can read the plan online at www.wcwalks.org. If you like to walk, you will find the draft plan interesting. Did you know that 24% of the people who use the Walnut Creek BART station arrive there by walking? Or that while the greatest number of pedestrian injuries occurred at intersections, all four fatalities (from 2004-2013) occurred mid-block, outside of any cross-walk? The plan doesn’t cover trails in our

open space or even connections to trail heads in our open space, so it is an urban and suburban walking plan. When the final plan is adopted, it will provide the framework for the city’s work on improving walking in our community. It focuses on identifying pedestrian safety problems and suggesting possible improvements more than in creating new pathways. One more note: remember the advice to competitive walkers to drink champagne? While we read a lot about distracted driving, distracted walking is also a serious problem. In 2009, of the more than 4,000 pedestrians killed in the United States, 35% were legally drunk. Walking safely in a car dominated society can be a challenge. Be safe, walk smart, and enjoy walking in Walnut Creek. I do.

Public Meetings City Council Meeting May 5, 19 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 6-11pm. Contact: 943-5819 Design Review Meeting May 6, 20 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7pm. Contact: 943-5819 Planning Commission Meeting May 28 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 7-11pm. Contact: 943-5819 Public Safety Council Subcommittee Meeting May 5 Council Chambers, 1666 North Main Street, 4pm. Contact: 943-5819 For Confirmation Visit: www.walnut-creek.org

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City of Walnut Creek

City News Annual Creek Clean Up Help remove trash and improve wildlife habitat in downtown creeks at the annual Friends of the Creeks clean-up, Saturday, May 9, 9am to noon. Wear old sneakers, bring gloves, and plan to get wet! Meet at the Civic Park gazebo; free continental breakfast for all participants will be served at 8:45am. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants must have a signed waiver. For waivers, visit www.FriendsoftheCreeks.org.

Art on the Main Art on the Main returns May 16-17 and is the only event staged down the middle of downtown on North Main Street, from Civic to Mt. Diablo (closed to automobile traffic) in Walnut Creek. Hours: 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Artists are expected to have the booth staffed all day, both days. Visit the website for more information: www.thewalnutfestival.org/art.php.

The End for The Bend The Bend food truck market that opened less than a year ago at 2211 North Main Street has closed. The mobile food truck market located at the old Le Virage Restaurant site offered food from gourmet food trucks, live music, and other entertainment.

New Brewery Hopes to Open in Summer Farm Creek Brewing Company, a family owned and operated beer factory and taproom, will be opening soon on Pine Street in Walnut Creek. Construction began last February and, once completed, the brewery will include a 15-barrel, copper-clad brew system and several 30-barrel fermenters. According to their website, this system will produce about 450 gallons of beer in a single brew session and approximately 4000-5000 barrels of beer per year. Although the facility will be a production factory, Farm Creek plans to roll up the doors and invite the community into their taproom on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 9pm to enjoy the brew.

Fun for All

Walnut Creek Art and Wine Distinguished by its spacious park setting and family-friendly activities, the popular Walnut Creek Chamber Art & Wine Festival runs Saturday, May 30, 11am to 7pm, and Sunday, May 31, 11am to 6pm. Festival admission is free. Art & Wine 2015 features top-quality, non-stop local and Bay Area music and entertainment on two stages for the entire family, hand-made crafts and works of art from more than 200 artisans, award-winning local and regional wines and microbrews, festival food, premium wine tent, craft beer garden, the crazy grape stomp competition, the delightful festival train, and the children’s area. Get your grove on with The Unauthorized Rolling Stones Band, The Houserockers, Lovefool, SOL, Delta Wires, Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, JC Smith Band, Fito Reinoso, Key Lime Pie, PUSH, Revolver, Fu Man Chu,

and Foothill Middle School. Souvenir glasses can be purchased with tasting tickets along the main midway and around the festival grounds. Visitors to the festival’s signature premium wine tent can sample select vintage and boutique wines. Visitors to the craft beer garden can enjoy a rousing game of cornhole toss while sampling brews from Calicraft Brewing Company, Working Man Brewing Company, and Altamont Craft Beer, just to name a few. Youngsters of all ages will enjoy the busy children’s area, with kidfriendly hamster balls, inflatable jumpies, face painting, and more. Free continuous shuttles are available at Shadelands Business Park. Paid parking is available on site. For complete Walnut Creek Chamber Art & Wine 2015 information, visit www.artwinefestivalwc.com, or call 925.934.2007.

First Wednesdays On May 6, continue the Cinco de Mayo celebration with live salsa music provided by ‘Salsa Caliente’! salsa dancers, and a performance by Beto and Noelani from Tri Valley Salsa at 6pm. Enjoy the dancers or put on your dancing shoes and take a short lesson! Event is 5-8pm on Cypress Street. Food trucks include Canasta Kitchen, Ceviche & Co, Tonli Dumpling, and Kara’s Cupcakes.

Chat with the Mayor The community is invited to meet the mayor and talk about current issues in Walnut Creek during a series of informal “Conversations with the Mayor,” held once a month through June at different locations throughout Walnut Creek. The next “conversation” is 7pm on Tuesday, May 12, at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Avenue. The goal is to provide an opportunity for residents to interact with the mayor in a low-key setting. In addition to the May 12 “conversation” at the Lindsay Museum, there will be a gathering on June 9 at the Shadelands Arts Center, 111 N. Wiget Lane. For more information, contact Communications & Outreach Manager Gayle Vassar, 925-943-5895. ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

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As Russ Sees It Pet Peeves

BY RUSS CARROLL Is anyone else alarmed (or amused) by the disclaimers on TV for even the simplest medications? As it turns out, my over the counter allergy medicine can cause swelling of the tongue, the inability or loss of desire to walk, a stroke, reddening of the eyes (honest officer, it’s my allergy meds), loss of hearing, the inability to operate machinery (honest officer, it’s my allergy meds), mathematical errors in my check book, lousy hair days, loss of marriage, misplaced car keys, and weight gain. I think I will forego the endless possible negative results and just suffer congestion and a runny nose. After all, I suffer from most of the other possibilities anyway! Ok…this one kills me. So, we run into someone we know “out in the world.” This typically happens outside of the context in which we know the person. The exchange goes like this: “Hey, how are you?” “I’m good, how are you?” “I’m good. You ok?” “Yep, I am good.” “Great, glad you’re good.” “Thanks, glad you’re good too.” “You look good.” “Thanks, you look good too.” “So, what are you up to?” “Not much. What are you up to?” “Not much.” “Well, it’s good to see you.” “You too.”

“Glad you’re good.” “Thanks, you too.” Then, as you walk away from this incredibly informative exchange, you say to your kid, “What’s that guy’s name again?” So why is it called dry cleaning? Yes, these are the kinds of questions and observations that keep me up at night. I cannot recall one time in my life (and that may not be saying much based on my well documented inability to recall anything….now, where was I going with this? Oh yea……) where I, or anyone I know, has cleaned anything while dry. Laundry, car washes, teeth cleaning, dishes, hair, etc. Even my mom spit on the hanky before cleaning my face. Every type of cleaning I can think of requires the use of water and is, therefore, “wet cleaning.” However, it is clear that the use of “dry cleaning” usually results in my pants no longer fitting. I am convinced that “dry cleaning” shrinks the waistbands of my pants. Oddly, it does not impact the length. Maybe they sneak a little water in on the pant legs. All this said, my short-term goals are to avoid medication, people in general, and dry cleaners. The publishers do not offer me the space to cover my other pet peeves, like the DMV or any 800 number. I, for one, do not believe that they have recently changed their options. They just want me to pay attention, which is difficult while under the influence of allergy medication. But….that’s just how I see it. Russell Carroll can be reached by email at russcarrollemail@gmail.com.

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may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

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Pleasant Hill Citywide Garage Sale If you’re a buyer...

Don't trash it — Sell it! Saturday, June 6, 2015

• Go to www.pleasanthillgaragesale.com to find households taking part in the citywide garage sale. • Start early but not before listed times. Experienced shoppers come early to find the best buys. • Bring a reusable bag, which will allow you to carry heavier items more easily and to protect fragile objects.

Buyers, Be a Contest Winner...

• Register the address of your sale by going online and entering your information at the webite www.pleasanthillgaragesale.com. • You may also register your garage sale by calling (925) 671-5806.

“Like” the garage sale on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pleasanthillgaragesale.

• Deadline to register is Thursday, June 4, 2015.

• Best Find: Post your best find on our Facebook page for a chance to win a great prize. • Best Upcycle: Transform your garage sale find into something new. Post a photo of your “upcycled” find on our Facebook page. Best ones will be displayed at the Summer Concert at City Hall on July 5. Best in show wins a fabulous prize!

If you’re a seller...

Questions? Online: www.pleasanthillgaragesale.com

Phone: (925) 671-5806 Email: abaker@republicservices.com

• To direct traffic to your sale, post street signs (not in public rights of way) and advertise online or in newspapers. Please take all signs down after your sale. A joint effort by the City of Pleasant Hill & Republic Services to protect the environment and conserve resources through reuse.

Sponsoring Businesses:

ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

IN FOCUS

SWS

Shell Western States Federal Credit Union

Support Your Local Credit Union Just as credit unions began in Europe amid economic turmoil and famine in the 1800s, the movement in the United States was fueled by the great depression as well as issues related to workers’ rights. It culminated in the Federal Credit Union Act of 1934 under the mantra “people helping people.” The next 5 years saw meteoric growth in credit unions that stalled during World War II. Following the war, our native sons returned home to begin retooling the country’s factories and economy. In Martinez, many of our American heroes resumed their “state side” lives by going to work for Shell Oil Refinery. A few years later, in the summer of 1947, a group of employees formed a credit union for Shell refinery workers and their families. Today, the ranks of the Shell Western States Federal Credit Union have grown to over 4,000, and membership is open to all people who live, work, worship, or attend school in the Martinez/Pacheco area. The spirit of the brave men and women who came back from war so many years ago to care for their family’s wellbeing and financial health lives on. The families of many of the original members are still involved in their credit union today; the old credit union mantra of people helping people is still valid, and your local credit union is still working to help support financial health in the community. This is especially important as people deal with the final stages of what many economists call “the Great Recession.” Recently, long time CEO Larry Wigley retired, and after an extensive executive search, I was hired. My name is Rod Garza and I am a long time resident of Contra Costa County. In a nutshell, my

personal bio is that I am an Air Force brat who grew up on military bases all over and graduated from high school in Southern California. I came to the Bay Area to go to Saint Mary’s College, liked what I saw, and never left. My wife and I have spent the majority of our lives together in Martinez’s Alhambra Valley with our horses and various other pet friends. We are members of St Catherine’s parish and I am a past president of the Martinez Horseman’s Association. I come to you as the new CEO of SWSFCU after spending three decades working in the financial environment, picking up another degree from Saint Mary’s College, and gaining a lot of credit union experience, including time at the committee, board of directors, and executive management levels. I am especially proud that a few years ago I had the good fortune to give the acceptance speech for the Martinez Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award on behalf of California Pacific Federal Credit Union. I inherit a 68 year-old legacy of financial service to our community. The spirit and objectives remain the same: Promote financial health to our members and stay engaged with community and philanthropic efforts, such as King of the County BBQ, Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club, Breast Cancer research, youth programs, and more. We are a “relationship” business that offers competitive rates on CDs, VISA, and loans. Please stop by our office at 1700 Pacheco Blvd and talk to our friendly staff about your mortgage, vehicle, or personal loan needs. Make an appointment with our financial advisor, or ask about our certificate and IRA rates.

CALL TODAY for Great Loan Rates! Mortgages • Personal Loans • Auto Loans • Visa Credit Cards

Shell Western States Federal Credit Union 1700 Pacheco Blvd., Martinez CA 94553 925-228-4545 • www.swsfcu.org

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

SWS

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL

Proudly Sponsored by Les Schwab Martinez

ORGANIZATIONS

Medical Center Honors Volunteers

In recognition of National Volunteer Month, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Clinics celebrated their 47th Annual Volunteer Awards and Recognition Luncheon April 11 at the Grace Episcopal Church in Martinez. After a salad luncheon catered by Concord’s Food For Thought, Rhonda Smith, volunteer coordinator, introduced volunteers involved in a new program this year. Pat and Bill Chase represented the Animal Rescue Foundation, which provides pet visits to patients, and Linda Valenzan organizes the pet and art therapy programs. Volunteers in spiritual care were Nena and Jim Pettit, and Stathie Michaud. Smith thanked all the volunteers for their service and revealed statistics for the year. 341 volunteers provided 31,051 service hours for a value of $817,883, and donations from organizations for various projects (layettes, stuffed animals and surgery pillows), memorial contributions, etc. were worth an additional $39,823. Jo-Ann lee, auxiliary president, inducted Claire Mann and Brownette Hopkins as volunteer emeritae for their many years of service. Claire Mann had 24 years and 52,000 hours and Brownette Hopkins had 22 years and 62,000 hours. Other emeriti present were Pat Evans, Ray Ulmer, and Ellsbeth Donavan. Rhonda Smith and Bill Cunningham, CCRMC president elect, awarded service pins to those with over 3,000 hours: Pat Ulmer (18 years, 6,400 hours), Shirley Peterson (19 Years, 5,800 hours), Betty Holt (20 Years, 5,800 hours), Bill Cunningham (10 years, 5,700 hours), Arlys Steven (17 years, 4,400 hours), JoAnn Lee (6 years, 5,000 hours), and Deloris McDonald (19 years, 3,900 hours). Others who received pins were Pat Harris (12 years, 2,600 hours), Stathie Michaud (6 years, 1,800 hours), Linda Waxman (6 years, 1,600 hours), Maria Jimenez (6 years, 1,600 hours), Jim Pettit (4 years, 900 hours), Robert McCorkle (10 years, 800 hours), Mary Burkard (3 years, 600 hours), Donna Oram (2 years, 500 hours), Doug Sibley (3 years, 300 hours), and Nena Akkyn Pettit (1 year, 100 hours). Volunteers unable to attend will receive their pins personally. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact the volunteer coordinator at (925) 370-5818 or www.RhondaSmith@hsd.cccounty.us.

SWAN Day Donation

The recent SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now) event raised funds at their “free” booth to benefit the Central County Homeless Outreach. A fantastic array of craft and fabric items were available at no cost but donations were greatly appreciated. SWAN Day Chair, RC Ferris, presented Doug Stewart with a check from the Martinez Arts Association.

Martinez Education Foundation Grants Martinez Education Foundation (MEF) is proud to announce that it recently awarded grants in the amount of $132,702 to teachers and staff throughout the Martinez Unified School District schools, including Alhambra High School ($45,869), Martinez Junior High School ($51,877), Morello Park Elementary ($1,926), Las Juntas Elementary ($9,907), John Swett Elementary ($6,433), John Muir Elementary ($14,697) and the Martinez Community Academy ($1,993). Additional information about the grants can be found at MEF’s website at www.martinezedfoundation.com. MEF thanks and appreciates all of its donors and volunteers for their great support throughout the year that allows MEF the opportunity to make our schools better!

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

Sporting Highlights BRONCO’S BREAKING RECORDS The Northgate girls track & field team broke the Distance Medley Relay record at Woody Wilson High School Invitational held at UC Davis April 17. The girls ran a 12:48, breaking the 1988 record by 12 seconds. Relay consisted of Megan Coyle (1200), Jessica Dong (400m), Aino Tanaka (800m) and Jessie Boucher (mile). At the De La Salle Invitational March 21, Northgate swimmer, Mason Tittle, broke three individual school records placing first in: 50-yard freestyle in 20.80 seconds, 100-freestyle in 45.38 and 100-butterfly in 48.69. Both relays he anchored, the medley and free relays, broke meet and school records. At Northgate’s dual meet against College Park on April 22, Mason Tittle, Erik VanBrocklin, Calvin Kirkpatrick and Max Boteen improved on their 200Free relay record with a time of 1:23.4. COLLEGE PARK BASEBALL The Falcons continues to dominate the diamond with a 5-0 league record

as of press time. Pitcher Joe DeMers began the season with a perfect game vs Monte Vista, and as of April 21, threw his third consecutive no-hitter against Northgate, garnering the Player of the Game title. Teammate, Josh Nelson, was second in line for impressive stats, going 3 for 4, with 3R, RBI and SB. DVC BASEBALL ALUM Alum Ben Krauth named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week. Junior transfer Krauth has made 11 starts on the hill for the Kansas Jayhawks and sits with a 6-3 record on the season. His 3.73 ERA ranks first on the team, along with his 68 strikeouts. The lefty sits among league leaders in wins (fifth with six), strikeouts (third with 68) and innings pitched (fourth with 72.1). DVC BASKETBALL Women’s Basketball Selections Sabrea Coleman, sophomore from Deer Valley HS. Big 8 Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All-State selection. Sabrea will be transferring to Grand Canyon University on a

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

basketball scholarship. Kayla Taylor, freshman from Clayton Valley Charter, Second Team All-State, First Team All-Conference selection; Two Sport Athlete (Women’s Volleyball & Basketball). Soraya Page, sophomore from Queensland (AUS), First Team All-Conference selection. Ramaundo Vaughn, DVC women’s head basketball coach, Big 8 Coach of the Year. Men’s Basketball Jelani Hardaway, sophomore from Freedom, Men’s Basketball First Team All-Big 8 Conference selection. Rico Nuno, freshman from Half Moon Bay, Men’s Basketball First Team All-Big 8 Conference selection. DVC SOFTBALL The softball team is having a successful season with an overall current record of 29-9 with multiple Vikings named as 1st Team All-Conference: Nicole Nordahl named 1st Team All-Big 8 at Pitcher, Ashley Allen named 1st Team All-Big 8 at Shortstop, Cynthia Duenas named

1st Team All-Big 8 at 1st Base and Amber Golini named 2nd Team All-Big 8 at 2nd Base. ON THE TRACK At the North Coast Frosh/Soph Championships on April 25, Alhambra’s Marissa D’Atri set a new meet record for the girls 1600 meters invitational run. Her winning time of 5:17.06 was a personal best for this freshman who then came back later that night to win the girls invitational 800 meter run in the time of 2:22.51. Junior David Phair of College Park took home an impressive win at the prestigous Stanford Invitational track meet held on April 5th. Taking the lead in the boys 800 meters he held on to win his heat in a blazing 1:55.92. David is currently ranked 4th in the North Coast section. Track wraps up its season with league championships beginning the first weeks of May followed by North Coast on May 23rd, the Meet of Champions held at Cal Berekely May 29-30, and ends with the State Meet held June 5-6.

Martinez Heat Takes First

An Outstanding Season

The Martinez Heat 10U softball team won all five games to take first place at the USSSA Red Rooster tournament in Martinez the weekend of April 18.

The College Park Men’s Varsity Lacrosse team is having one of their best seasons, currently at 10-5, and is headed to the DVAL and NCS playoffs in May. Coach Drew Welch, in his second year at College Park, is building a great foundation for the program that will continue to develop players in the future. The JV program has almost 30 players and is currently 9-2. On April 24th they hosted Senior Night and recognized the 15 seniors that will be leaving the program.

Pictured top row (LtoR): Erin Holliday, Makenzie Stenson, Sydney Lieb, Caroline Ghisletta, Rylee Adams-Barnes, Alexis Lipary. Bottom Row: Malorie Hill, Laila Flahiff, Kennedy Gustin, Sofia Lera, Maya Lieb, Sierra Sampaio, Ava Edwards, Samantha Schuler. The girls are coached by Phil Raines, Mitch Edwards, Jim Higgins and Brianna Rios.

Pictured on the top row (L to R) are: Eric Lamothe, Chris Logan, Gage Messier, Matthew Cousin, Ryan Salvato, Trace Bechter, and Justin Griffin. Bottom row: Richard Kong, Lucas Zaragoza, Jesse Guerra, Ben Carr, Trevor Stambaugh, Dylan Brown, Alex Stephenson and Micah Maule. Photo courtesy of Jeff Eide.

PHMSA Xtreme

Bulldogs Dominate

PHMSA’s U10 girls Xtreme Elite competed in the U12 division in the AYSO Soccerfest tournament, March 21 and 22. Even though Xtreme was competing against girls 2-3 years older and a full head taller, Xtreme Elite was undefeated and took first place in the tournament. This is the first time that a U10 team has won the U12 championship in Soccerfest tournament history.

Pictured: Helena Ban, Brielle Duarte, Amanda Monahan, Courtney Wagner, Nicole Abudayeh, Gianna Betti, Gabriella Bello, Ananda Walker, Eva Hesselroth, Maeve Gagnon, and Liliana Bailey. Coaches are Paul Betti, Brian Gagnon, and Mike Monahan. Submitted by Josh Bello.

DVC Summer Baseball Camp Diablo Valley College will once again host a summer baseball camp. Camp is open to high school graduating seniors and juniors with school approval. The six-week, half unit credit, summer baseball class will be held on Mondays from 1:30-3:30pm and Fridays from 9-11am. The camp will be run by Steve Ward, DVC Head Baseball Coach and CCCBCA Hall of Fame inductee in 2002. To apply for the camp, enroll in DVC for summer 2015 session and enroll in KNICA 199-3443.

AHS softball is undefeated in league and 14-3 overall (as of 4/29). Cara DiMercurio (pictured) hit two home runs vs Dougherty Valley resulting in a 5-1 victory. AHS baseball is 12-5 overall, losing their undefeated league status on 4/28 to Dougherty Valley 1-0. Pictured is Angelo Martino at bat. Don’t miss their upcoming home games. View home game schedules at www.ourcommunityfocus.com and click the HS sports button on our homepage. ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

In the Garden

May Day Signals Sweet Farmers’ Market Finds

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BY LESLEY STILES May Day lies flush with fond memories in my mind: new dresses, gloves, and hats for the girls and suits for the boys in my family from Easter. Maypole dances, queens, and flower crowns figured large in the celebrations at Christ the King, where we attended grade school. Ceremony around May Day goes back to druids and the Lady of the Lake, which I identify with every time I go into the magic of my backyard or a beautiful garden around water. Earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times with the Floralia, a festival in honor of the Roman goddess of flowers, and they are also associated with the Gaelic Beltane, a traditional summer holiday in many pagan cultures. In the 1500s, King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a good luck charm. He generously offered a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court.

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was customary to give a sprig of lily of the valley on May first. To this day, we still give lilies to each other at spring celebrations in my family. Cherries hit farmers’ markets with a slow burn come May Day and continue along through the end of June, joined by cousins blueberries and bosom buddies strawberries and raspberries. Organics are readily available at most of the local markets and are worth the sugar sweet, tongue teasing flavors every bite of the way. May also offers up prime salad days, with greens going crazy before the scorching summer high noon temperatures move in gracing tomatoes, corn, beans, and peppers with rapid growth while challenging lettuce and greens. May is a great time to burrow pumpkin seeds into friable dirt corners and climbing areas for spirited Halloween carving and holiday pies. Japanese cucumbers are incredibly sweet and easy to grow, rewarding gardeners with a tenderly crunchy treat. Eggplants dazzle with brilliant colors, and their flavors are mesmerizing when grilled with olive oil and garlic. If you can find them, get Padron Peppers planted in your garden. You will be blessed with a long, voluptuous crop of small, emerald peppers; one in ten will scorch your mouth and the other nine are so good it’s worth chancing the tenth. Sauté the little gems in hot olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then devour them hot like popcorn -- seeds, stems, and all. With the drought at extreme levels, it is even more important to get that drip system in, no matter how simple, to keep a regular water schedule on your veggies while conserving at the same time. I lowered my water bill dramatically a few years ago when I installed my drip system on timers. The timer part is key to the great crop/water conservation part. Hike early and often!! Lesley Stiles is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, sustainable caterer and school garden educator. Contact Lesley at lesleystiles@comcast.net, www. lesleystiles.blogspot.com and visit her new website: www.lesleystilesfoods.com.

Strawberry and Basil Jam INGREDIENTS 2 cups sugar 1 large lemon, zested and juiced 2 large or 4 small basil leaves 2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled & halved DIRECTIONS Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 35 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate, about 30 minutes more. (I keep one in the freezer.) Pour carefully into two, sterile pint canning jars and place either one big or two small basil leaves in each jar. Either process in a water bath for 10 minutes or keep refrigerated. Refrigerated jam will keep for a couple of weeks.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie INGREDIENTS 3 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into ½ inch pieces 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved ¾ cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) Pastry for a double crust pie DIRECTIONS Combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla in a large saucepan and let sit for 15 minutes. Bring mixture to a boil and stir gently until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375*. Spoon filling into pastry lined pie pan. Place top crust on and crimp edges. Cover edges with strips of aluminum foil. Cut vents into top and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake 30 minutes and remove foil from edges. Bake 15 more minutes until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Serves 6

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Pair Up

ONLINE EXTRA For Crab Cake Benendetti go to www.ourcommunityfocus.com

Italian Brunch

BY MARIA TERRY Sunday brunch is a fun alternative to a dinner party and gives us a reason to pop open a bottle of sparkling wine before noon. Whether it is served straight out of the bottle or mixed with your favorite fruit juices, sparkling wine is the quintessential brunch beverage. Italian sparkling wine is called Spumante or Frizzante. Spumante is fully sparkling, and Frizzante has slightly fewer bubbles. Here are three different Italian sparkling wines to pair with Italian-inspired recipes to create a

Marscarpone French Toast Soldiers with Warm Blackberry Syrup INGREDIENTS 1 large egg 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 1 1/2 cups cold mascarpone cheese 2 tablespoons blackberry liqueur 8 thick (1/2 to 3/4 in.) slices of day-old white bread 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 1/2 cups blackberries 2 tablespoons butter DIRECTIONS Whisk egg, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together mascarpone, remaining 1 tsp. vanilla and the liqueur. Spread mascarpone mixture over 4 bread slices; top with remaining slices. Remove crusts and cut in thirds making long rectangles (soldiers). Cook maple syrup and berries in a small covered saucepan until berries start to break down, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Heat a large heavy frying pan; swirl butter in pan. Dip soldiers in egg mixture, then cook, turning to brown on each side until crisp, 4 to 8 minutes total. Serve soldiers with ramekins of syrup to drizzle or dip. Yield: 6-8 Servings

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memorable Sunday brunch. Start the party off with a tray of Smoked Salmon Crostini with Dilled Cream Cheese. These toasted bread appetizers are topped with creamy cheese, smoky salmon, and tiny sour capers. Pair with Prosecco from Italy’s Veneto region. It is made from eponymous Prosecco grapes and is usually off-dry. The slight sweetness in the wine will counter balance the tart flavors of the capers, and bubbles will cut the richness of the salmon and the cheese. Your main course is a savory Crab Cake Benedetti. (Go to www.ourcommunityfocus.com and click Food+Drink) This Italian spin on eggs Benedict substitutes doughy, salty focaccia bread for the classic English muffin and lemon-basil cream sauce for the hollandaise. Crab cakes are the star of the dish and a crunchy alternative to ham. Plan to prepare the components before your guests arrive, and assemble the Benedetti at the last minute. Partner with Italy’s most elegant sparkling wine, Franciacorta. It is made using the méthode-champenoise technique, where the bubbles are formed inside the bottle

Smoked Salmon Crostini with Dilled Cream Cheese INGREDIENTS 1 French baguette, sliced into long ovals (about 16) Olive oil and kosher salt 4 ounces smoked salmon 2 tsp. non-pareil capers 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill Zest and juice of 1 lemon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on bread slices and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 275° for 15 minutes. Cool. Top each crostini with cream cheese mixture, a thin slice of salmon and 3-4 capers. Yield: 4 Servings

rather than in a tank. Like classic French champagne, the grapes in Franciacorta are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, although other Pinot varieties can be included. Franciacorta is dry, and its subtle flavors won’t overpower the delicate flavor of the crab. Furthermore, the fine bubbles will cleanse the palate after the egg and the cream. Since Franciacorta is produced in small quantities, a Brut Sparkling wine will substitute nicely if you can’t find one. A sweet ending calls for Moscato d’Asti. Slightly less fizzy than Prosecco, Moscato d’Asti is called Frizzante instead of Spumante. This lower pressure means that it is closed with a standard cork instead of

a wired down one, like in most sparkling or Spumante wines. Moscato d’Asti is also lower in alcohol because the fermentation is stopped sooner so the wine can retain its traditional sweetness. Stuffed Mascarpone French Toast Soldiers with Warm Blackberry Syrup is a decadent pairing with Moscato d’Asti. The filling between the bread is Italy’s Mascarpone cheese, which is generally less tangy than American cream cheese. To me, it tastes like super-thick, unsweetened whipped cream. So, go on. Pair Up! Maria Terry is a Certified Sommelier and Wine Educator in the San Francisco Bay Area, www.LaSommelierre.com.

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ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

In the Mix

ONLINE EXTRA

Call it Classic or Geezer Rock if You Want, but Wear it Proudly! BY PAUL COTRUVO “I hope I die before I get old (Talkin’ ‘bout my generation)” was the rally cry sung by The Who in 1965, encapsulating all that ‘60s rebellious spirit. But what did Pete Townshend really mean when he wrote those lyrics? I mean, how old is old? Was it a metaphor for one’s youthful spirit or an actual age? After all, The Who is celebrating their 50-year anniversary this year and will be touring the world. Will “Tommy can you hear me?” take on a whole new meaning? And “Who are you?” No, really, who are you?? Have they reached their “old” yet? Last I checked, Miracle Ear or Life Alert did

not sponsor them. I don’t think any of the ‘60s bands thought or cared about aging. After all, they all thought their fame would only last a few years. Paul McCartney once said, “Obviously, we can’t keep playing the same sort of music until we’re 40.” McCartney added, “When we’re old men playing ‘From Me to You’, nobody’s going to want to know about that sort of thing.” But I think Sir Paul was wrong. I think a lot of these bands and musicians still have something to offer. Still, it is art, and who is to say you can’t paint past 30? Or sing “Hey Jude” in your 70s! Last month I went to a Fleetwood Mac concert in Oakland. It was the return of 71 year-old Christine McVie to the lineup. She was on top of her

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game and sounded amazing. And 66 year-old Stevie Nicks was still twirling like it was 1975. Their energy was unbelievable. They definitely have not reached their “old” yet. The Grateful Dead are going to reunite this summer for a few shows; 73 year-old Bob Dylan has never stopped touring and will be out on the road this summer; Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton will all be rocking the house. I wish I were this old! And yes, roll out the Visa cards, break into the kids’ college funds, because The Rolling Stones are back! Sponsored by AARP (not really). “I didn’t expect to last until fifty myself, let alone with the Stones,” Keith Richards said with a laugh in an article last year. “It’s incredible, really. In that sense, we’re still living on borrowed time.” But what does all of this mean? It means I was lucky enough to grow up in the best musical era of all time. You can’t deny that most of the songs from

For Local Live Music Listings go to www.ourcommunityfocus.com

the ‘60s and ‘70s are timeless and very relevant today. And as parents and grandparents from this generation, we have all done a great job in carrying this music forward and exposing it to our children -- even if it was because of the latest Rock Band video game or the latest car commercial. Call it classic or geezer rock if you want, but wear it proudly! And the next concert you go to, stuff that beer belly into that fading black Kiss t-shirt and don’t worry about the age of the musicians or what they look like; just feel lucky that these bands are still around to enjoy. So how old is old? “I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin’ ‘bout my generation) I’m just talkin’ ‘bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin’ ‘bout my generation)” The greatest generation! (Ok, time for my nap.) Quote of the Month: “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” -C.S. Lewis

Paul’s Picks May 3: The Angry Brians, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm May 21: Dan DeShara, Rocco’s Pizzeria, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 8pm May 23: Mark Blasquez, Rocco’s Pizzeria, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 8:30pm May 23: Caroompas Room, Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm May 24: The Von Trapps, Pleasant Hill Summer by the Lake Concert Series, City Hall, 100 Gregory Ln, 6pm May 30: Garageland Rodeo, Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 9pm May 31: The Sunday Paper, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 4pm

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may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

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All Day Everyday

KidFest’s Silver Anniversary Celebrate with Us Memorial Day Weekend Bay Area KidFest is coming May 23-25, Memorial Day weekend, in downtown Concord. The Bay Area’s longest-running family event has all kinds of special attractions as it celebrates its Silver Anniversary (19902015), including the addition of PetFest all day Sunday. The three-day festival includes nonstop entertainment on the community stage, Aussie Kingdom show and exhibit with kangaroos, wallabies, and other birds and animals from Down Under, Kent Family Circus, KidArt activities, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, Kid’s Town America, bounces and crawls, sports, and many more events to stimulate learning and exploration while presenting parents with new ideas and opportunities through arts & crafts, exhibitor booths, food court, 20 rides and much more. KidFest also showcases community groups dedicated to families and children while celebrating the value and importance of families as a key part of a healthy community.

KIDFEST EVENT SCHEDULE

All entertainment, attractions, sports and art activities are included in the low price of admission. Everyone bringing a can to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano gets $1 off admission. Babies under 24 months and seniors 65 and older are free. Those donating canned food get in for $6 and all others pay $7. Rides and eclectic food court charge separately from admission price. KidFest takes place in downtown Concord, 2450 Grant St., just off Hwy 242. Visit www. KidFestConcord.com for more information.

12th annual Spring Diversity (Baisakhi) Festival, Saturday, May 23, 10am-6pm This event has been held at Todos Santos Plaza for the past 11 years and has joined with KidFest. The main stage will have a variety of international performing groups from 11am to 2pm. The South Asian Behavioral Health & Training Foundation will have colorful performing artists on stage and a variety of exhibitors in the Spring Diversity (Baisakhi) Festival section at KidFest. Bay Area PetFest at KidFest, Sunday, May 24, 10am-6pm Bay Area PetFest, part of the Silver Anniversary Bay Area KidFest, includes all things dogs, cats, reptiles, and other animals, with exhibitions by Concord Police K9 unit and Oakland Zoo. Pets available for adoption, plus information, goods, and services of pet food, fashion, and grooming. Sorry, pets can’t be brought on the grounds due to safety concerns for our thousands of young children. For more information, visit www.BayAreaPetFest.com. 5th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, May 25, 12:30pm Ceremony will be held on the main stage with civic officials and features U.S. Navy Band veteran Deborah Del Mastro performing the armed services theme songs and the “Star Spangled Banner” with the Mt. Diablo High School Jr. ROTC color guard. Veterans of each branch of the service will be encouraged to take part while their respective service song is played. Del Mastro originated the role of Sr. Robert Anne in the Nunsense touring show and was a cast member of Beach Blanket Babylon. Field of Dreams, May 25, 10am-5pm A variety of sports organizations will be on hand with fun activities and instruction in baseball, football, basketball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, diving, volleyball, track, and other sports in our 3rd annual Field of Dreams presented by SportStars magazine.

Memoral Day Weekend May 23-24-25

Sat & Sun 10 am - 6 pm • Mon 10 am - 5 pm Downtown Concord

Sunday 10 am-6pm

3 shows a day

NEW this year!

• Oakland Zoo • Concord Police K-9 Unit • Pet Adoptions • Exhibitions & Info

For the safety of all, pets are not allowed to be brought on PetFest grounds

SpongeBob SquarePants

Voted Best Festival 2010-2014 by readers of Claycord.com

Free with admission!

Scenes and Stories from

Exhibits open all day! Meet animals from Australia up close.

Elaine Horn is Dorothy 11 am, 1 & 3 pm daily

Concord Disposal Service reduce • reuse • recycle • respect • recover A Garaventa Company

KidFest proceeds benefit local education, youth sports & health non-profits.

(925) 671-3287 Produced by

BayAreaFestivals

Dora The Explorer

Dora appearance compliments of

Aussie Kingdom shows 11:30 am, 1:30 & 3:30 pm daily

Kent Family Circus 12 • 2 • 4 pm daily

MEET YOUR FAVORITES

@BayAreaKidFest

Entertainment stage Kid’s Town America Bounces and Crawls Face Painting • Spin Art Balloon Art & Handprints Saturday: Spring Diversity Festival Monday: Memorial Day Ceremony 12:30 pm Monday: Sports Field of Dreams

Plus Eclectic Food Court Ferris Wheel & 15 other rides Pony Rides & Petting Zoo Exhibitor Booths

FREE Goody Bag to first 500 families each day

#KidFest

KidFest at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord

www.KidFestConcord.com

*Admission $6 per person with canned food donation; $7 without donation.

Babies under 24 months and seniors 65+ FREE! AttrActions, progrAms & schedule subject to chAnge.

ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

High School News MDUSD Community Meeting for College Park Dr. Nellie Meyer, superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, is conducting community meetings at high schools throughout the district to talk about progress on the district’s LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) and implementation of Common Core State Standards. Dr. Meyer will visit College Park at 6pm on Thursday, May 7, in the multi-use room.

Speech and Debate Tournaments

Northgate sophomore PJ Gaughan has qualified for the NCFL (National Catholic Forensic League) National Championship held later this month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the NSDA (National Speech and Debate Association) National Championship in Dallas, Texas this June. Junior Andrew Zucker and senior Ayse Trail also qualified for the NCFL National Championship. On the Northgate Instrumental Music Facebook page, PJ said, “I used the skills of practice, dedication, and performing that I learned in band to make this happen, once again proving what you learn in band can translate to anything else you do.”

Northgate Students to Play in Jazz Festival

The Monterey Jazz Festival announced that Eric Nakanishi (NHS senior, alto sax) and Jonah Moss (NHS junior, trumpet) were selected as lead alto and lead trumpet for the highly competitive 2015 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which brings together 21 of the brightest high school jazz musicians from across the country to form an all-star big band. This year, the orchestra will meet September 15-20 for an extended residency at the Monterey Jazz Festival that culminates in a main stage performance with artist-in-residence Wynton Marsalis.

Alhambra’s Coffeehouse

The creative writing program at Alhambra High is brewing with originality. The class presents the 29th Annual Backroads Coffeehouse on Thursday, May 28, at the Alhambra Performing Arts Building. The evening will showcase the students’ artistic talents by bringing together student poets, musicians and dancers. This stirring community event begins at 7pm and coffee from Mountain Grounds will be provided during intermission. Can’t make it to the Coffeehouse? Class work can also be viewed on their website, backroadspoetry.com. Student Andrew Silva has played a significant role as Webmaster and image maker for Backroads and said, “I created the website and logos, I keep the site up to date, and I email potential donors. Starting this year, we decided to host the website (backroadspoetry.com) to showcase our local talent online 24/7 as opposed to only annually. Basically, I’m just a student in Mr. Schain’s creative writing class that enjoys helping get the word out about Backroads.” The class also publishes an annual magazine called Backroads, due to be released this month. As an archive of the poetry read at the coffeehouse, the magazine includes photography and illustrations to compliment the poems. Although Coffeehouse is a free community event, a donation box for collecting funds will be present to help support next year’s magazine.

Tired of Old Magazines? Donate them NOW! Magazines (and soft back books) are needed at the Contra Costa Medical Center, 2500 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. The auxiliary volunteers deliver some 150 magazines each week to the 14 waiting rooms around the hospital and clinics. The magazines help make the long waits bearable. Bring magazines to the hospital lobby information desk or the gift shop. All personal labels are removed by the auxiliary volunteers before they are delivered. For more information please call Gift Shop at (925) 370-5818, or email Rhonda. 26

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

Martinez Grange

Raising Funds for Police K-9 Unit Martinez Grange is on its way towards getting Martinez Police a new K-9 unit! Martinez Grange is always looking for community projects that stand out or have been overlooked for a long time. After some brainstorming by Grange members, Seth Kozlowski, age 12, and Lenore Delfino, age 16, the two came across the need for another police dog for the City of Martinez. They have been very busy trying to figure out the best and fastest way to raise the $10,000-$12,000 it takes to place a trained dog with a handler. To get the ball rolling, Seth and Lenore are putting donation jars in as many businesses around town as possible. Lenore designed the label and Seth made slots in the jar tops. With a little help from their parents, they created a flyer that explains what the fundraiser is all about and how donations in larger amounts can be made in an individual’s or a business’ name. Over the years, these honored fourlegged K-9 heroes have done their job for

our community, and losses through illness, death and retirement have left a need for an additional K-9 unit. They are important to any police force, and having them in our town gives the department a critical advantage. A K-9 officer can sweep a building in seconds, making the officer’s job safer by alerting them to danger and drugs in ways that humans cannot. Having an additional K-9 can also give other dogs a day off for a break, or to recover from illness or injury. So, while you are shopping in downtown Martinez or anywhere else in the city limits, please keep an eye out for our RED TOPPED JARS. All donations are tax deductible. After the goal has been met, the kids plan to have a celebration thanking the businesses and donors, and hopefully the city will get to meet a new K-9 officer. If you would like to donate directly or drop us a note to get more information, mail to: Martinez Grange 853, P.O. Box 2604, Martinez, CA 94553.

Pictured are Seth Kozlowski & Lenore Delfino from Martinez Grange number 853.

Spring Concerts Northgate’s Spring Concert May 27 and May 28 at 7pm in The Little Theater. Selections will be performed in two acts by the five different choirs, including: J. S. Bach, arr. Russell Robinson by the concert choir; Daniel J. Hall, text by Emily Dickinson by the girls choir, Cantiamo; Zoltán Kodály by Bella Voce, the level 3 women’s group; Spiritual, arr. William Henry Smith by Il Coro, the all boys group, and Harpy and the Fugster by The Madrigals, the level 3 mixed group. The May 28 concert also includes the senior celebration and slide show. Tickets are $6 each.

CP Spring Pops Concert: On Broadway!

May 29 & 30 at 7pm, the talented students of the College Park High School choirs will present their annual spring pops concert, a lively tribute to Broadway musicals. Presented in the newly refurbished CPHS multi-use room, the concert is jam-packed with hits from Broadway’s golden age and beyond. Enjoy songs from West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Jersey Boys, American Idiot, Rock of Ages, and more. Tickets are $10/ adult, $7/students and staff, and $5/ students with ASB. Additional ticket information can be found on www.collegeparkchoirs.com.

Falconsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Florida Tour

Orchestra Students Travel Across the Country to Perform

BY DIANA FETTERMAN, CP PARENT & CHAPERONE On April 8, 70 members of the College Park string orchestra and symphonic orchestra, along with their fearless teacher, Mr. Jorge Jimenez, took a oncein-a-lifetime trip to Orlando, Florida! While the students had many of the expected fun times at Universal Studios, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom, they also participated in many learning and performing opportunities during the week-long trip. One day was spent visiting Kennedy Space Center to learn about the history of our space program. Afterwards, the group visited West Shore High School for a potluck dinner and exchange concert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really liked the exchange concert because it was great to hear kids from across the country play. The music brought us together,â&#x20AC;? said sophomore Kate Brown. After a half-day of fun at Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Hollywood Studios, the students participated in a closed-door recording session at the Disney Studios. They learned what it would be like to be a professional musician with only a short rehearsal before performing/recording their music. They got to hear their final efforts played back as the soundtrack to a movie clip. Another highlight of the trip was when the students traveled to the

University of Central Florida, where they worked with Arthur Pranno, the director of orchestras. He was really engaging with the students, working with them on a current piece and sharing tips and anecdotes to make their performance even better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He made me want to go and practice the piece more. He also made me think about continuing to study music in college,â&#x20AC;? said sophomore Bianca Gaiton-Ochoa.

Group photo: Taken at Universal City Walk

Amidst sweltering heat and humidity, the students persevered and performed at the outdoor stages in downtown Disney and the Universal City Walk in full formal attire. The students were amazing representatives of College Park and Pleasant Hill. Thank you to all the family, friends, and community members who donated funds to making this trip happen! The students will likely never forget this trip.

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(L to R): Julia Schlictmann, Rae Perez, Alissa Bernabeo, Lauren Canale, Erin Cooney. Photos by Diana Fetterman

Send announcements to info@ourcommunityfocus.com. Deadline is the 2nd Friday of each month. Photo must be in jpeg format. 1 MB miniumum size. Maximum of 35 words per ad. ourcommunityfocus.com â&#x20AC;˘ may 2015

After-School Program Fall 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2016

day-Friday | School D ismi M on ssal - 6:00 pm @ the Teen Center Limited time! Priority FALL registration available May 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;30, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ First month fees due by May 30th to hold place in program. â&#x20AC;˘ After 5/30, any remaining spots will be based on availability only.

Questions? phteenscene.com | (925) 691-5645 Pre-registration ............................................... $7/day Pre-registration + Transportation .............. $9/day Drop In Punch Card (10 visits) .......................... $90 Transportation for Drop In (10 rides) ............. $30 Annual membership required: $35 /$25 (Dist. Res.)

PLEASANT HILL RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT

Fun begins here! 1SFTDIPPM t :PVUI t 5FFOT

PH Rec & Park

Upcoming Events and Activities Register for 2015 SUMMER CAMPS Join us for a summer of fun! PH Rec offers a wide variety of preschool, youth, and teen summer camps, June through August 2015. Visit pleasanthillrec.com for details. 2015-2016 Pleasant Hill Preschool Registration Now Open Classes for age 2.6 years through Pre-K. For more information, visit pleasanthillpreschool.com or call Preschool Director Sarah Smith at (925) 676-5200 Ext. 626. PH Dolfin Swim Team; Have Fun! Swim Fast! Registration for Pleasant Hill Dolfin Swim Team is now open through May 22, 2015 at the District office, 147 Gregory Lane. For more info, call (925) 682-0896 or visit pleasanthilldolfins.com. Adult CORNHOLE Bag Toss Drop In Tuesdays 7-9pm at the Winslow Center, 2590 Pleasant Hill Rd. Try out the latest adult sports craze! Experienced players teach proper pitching techniques, rules, and game strategies. $5 per person. Pay at the door. Visit pleassanthillrecsports.com for info on summer cornhole play. EVENTS: Pancake Breakfast May 3, 8:30 - 10:30am at the Chateau Room, PH Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane. Enjoy a stack of flapjacks with eggs, sausage and orange juice. Adults (11 & Up):

$5 Children (5-10): $3 and Children (4 & under): FREE. Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club PLANT SALE May 9, 9am-2pm at the Winslow Center, 2590 Pleasant Hill Road. A wide selection of plants on sale! Visit pleasanthillrec.com for more info. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! June 18 - FREE 6th Annual Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Swimming Lesson For ages 4-15 from 10-10:30am; check in at 9:30am. Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane. June 20 - Family Camp Out Check in: Sat, 3pm, check out: Sunday, 10am at Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. July 4 - Fun & Games in the Park After Downtown parade at Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. July 17-18 - 6th Annual Blues and Brews Festival Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. August 9 - American Iron Car Show 10-3pm, Crescent Drive, Downtown Pleasant Hill. September 28 - Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Golf Classic Location: Contra Costa Country Club. Interested in sponsoring? Contact Bob Berggren at (925) 682-0896.

Community Center Award Trips & Adventures 4QPSUT t "RVBUJDT /BUVSF 4DJFODF t LEGOSÂŽ 8SJUJOH 4QFFDI t -BOHVBHF "SU t .VTJD t %BODF BOE NPSF!

+8:<FG8E BA?<A8 ABJ III B>73E3@F:;>>D75 5A? 53?BE M Register Now! pleasanthillrec.com | (925) 682-0896

may 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ ourcommunityfocus.com

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Community Center received the 2014 Award of Excellence for Outstanding Facility by the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS). This year marks the second straight year that the district has garnered an award for facility excellence by CPRS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the long journey to make our new community center a reality, receiving the CPRS awards is the frosting on the cake,â&#x20AC;? said PHRPD General Manager Bob Berggren. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This award is much more than recognition of an excellent building design. It represents the culmination of incredible collaborative efforts between our district board of directors, our dedicated staff, the Dahlin Architecture Group, DL Falk Construction, and the enSandra Bonato, Board Chair with tire Pleasant Hill community. Henry Perezalonso, CPRS Region 1 Rep

Wish Upon A Star

Presented by the Peter Pan Foundation BY GINA CAMPO The Peter Pan Foundation brings fantastic music and magic to the DVC stage Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, in its annual production of its blockbuster show, Wish Upon A Star. With pirates, princesses, and villains, this show delights all ages. There are eight performances over the course of the weekend, showcasing the talents of more than 200 performers, ages 7 to adult. The original musical, written and directed by Peter Pan Foundation founder, president, and director Leslie Noel, takes Peter Pan and friends on a whirlwind journey through all the beloved fairytale favorites. While Wish Upon A Star is a thoroughly entertaining production, it is much more. Proceeds from the show benefit Children’s’ Hospital. Founded in 2007, The Peter Pan Foundation offers the best of all

worlds – a place for young hearts to learn to fly though the creative and musical arts and teaching kids the value and benefit of philanthropy and giving back to the community. “The Peter Pan Foundation was created to help everyone find that power and strength within themselves, to teach them to use it for good, and to inspire them to make a difference,” said Leslie Noel. “Every one has a little Peter Pan inside, a child who never truly grew up but who has the power to teach the world to fly.” Bring the whole family and come watch all your favorite stories come to life in this musical extravaganza! While tickets can be purchased at the door, nearly every performance last year was sold out, so purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased at http://wuas2015.brownpapertickets.com.

Photo Credit: Thom Hayes

PLAN INCLUDES:

TRUST AGREEMENT POUR OVER WILL GUARDIANSHIP TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE

LAW OFFICES OF

LAUREN SMYKOWSKI

1255 treat blvd. ste 300 walnut creek, ca 94597

www.smykowskilaw.com ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

Story and Photos by Christopher Vardas

Vardas’ Adventures The Big Island of Hawai’i

awai`i and volcanoes are synonymous. The islands were created from lava-fed lands rising up out of the ocean and cooling. Today, volcanic action still grows the Big Island one foot at a time. On rare occasions, the island grows by tens of feet in just hours. Islanders see themselves as part of the fabric of life and they speak of the Goddess Pele’s gift of creation with reverence and respect. Others may overlook that these original lands once belonged to the native cultures of the Pacific; western expansionism conquered them no differently than they conquered the aboriginal peoples and lands within mainland U.S.A. As a result, natives struggle to honor their history and place in the midst of rampant development and tourism. The islanders may be “Americans” by name, but their culture is as different from ours as their food, music, and language; their grip on the land, resources, and island life is slipping away. While driving to Volcano National Park, we sampled the goods at Punalu’u Bakery and they were well worth the effort. A bluff nearby overlooks the most southern point of the United States, its latitude being below that of Key West, Florida. The landscape slowly changes from lush green to pasture lands and rolling hills to uplifted lava flows topped with short, scrawny shrubs. Entering the park, we read a warning sign about closed roads due to the venting of (toxic) sulfur dioxide. With caution, we drove to the Jaggar Museum and monitoring station. Spellbound, we watched as a plume of gas shot high into the air but within the crater boundaries. During heavy magma flow periods at night, people witness the red glow and steam as molten lava enters the ocean waters. We retreated to the elegant, newly rebuilt Volcano House, an upscale lodge with commanding views of the crater and surrounding lands. The food, though expensive, was worth the stop. Steam vents appear all along the road through the park, reminding people that the land beneath them is quite active. One learns quickly not to take anything for granted, here; Pele is busy at work and keeps a

sharp eye on us all. After we visited the magnificently beautiful Akaka Falls State Park, we experienced one of our favorite adventures just north of Hilo, along the verdant western coastline. Water cascades down into a narrow and deep canyon surrounded by

may 2015 • ourcommunityfocus.com

lush vegetation and brilliantly large flowers that surely served as an inspiration for the movie Avatar. Afterwards, we stopped in at the little village called Honomu. Like most great adventures, they occur when you get off the beaten path, get out of your car, and encounter the world face-to-face.

We found another local bakery (of course), used clothing store (tons of Hawaiian shirts), a few small eateries, and a hair salon run by two transplants who had found a bit of paradise for themselves and generously shared great stories about the town. A few miles north of Honomu, we found one of the most spectacular oceanside stops, Laupahoehoe State Roadside Park. Our final great adventure took us on a dinner cruise from the port of Kona down to Cook’s Inlet, south about 25 miles. The native lecturer on-board revealed a great deal of the ancient history of the land, the indigenous peoples, and life after the white man appeared. On arrival at Cook’s Inlet, we enjoyed a casual, light dinner, music, and the most-eye-popping sunset I have ever witnessed. As low clouds moved in slowly toward the coastline, the setting sun illuminated the sky in bursts of deep oranges, reds, and purples. I heartily recommend spending some time in the water. Hawai`i is about water and light; it’s about a feeling you cannot get anywhere else. Yes, Hawai`i is expensive and takes effort to get there. Allow time to experience the quality of life and see the island through the veil of commercial development, restaurants, and shops. We saved big dollars by eating all breakfasts and almost all dinners in. We took small snacks and ate lunch out nearly every day. We took time to talk with everyone we could. A guide at a coffee plantation tour gave us a tip on a great place for lunch (the best casual place turned out to be The Coffee Shack in Captain Cook). Trip Advisor and its membership group alerted us to local favorite dinner places (Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill in Kona was our favorite) and sights not to be missed. If you can’t spend 10 years, spend 10 days. You will not see it all in 10 days or 20 or, perhaps, in a lifetime, but get in touch with that elusive feeling of the island spirit of Aloha. The Hawaiian experience is not a place, but a feeling. I suspect you will come back changed in a wonderful way. We did. Visit www.ourcommunityfocus.com to view more photos of Hawai’i from vardasphotography.com.

Special Olympics Hosts Local Community Events Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) is a sports and competition program for 17,777 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who compete year-round in 156 competitions for 11 different sports. Special Olympics athletes participate at no cost to the athletes or their families, and this program takes place evenings and weekends. Founded 20 years ago in Lafayette and headquartered in Pleasant Hill, Special Olympics Northern California currently serves 47 counties, from the Oregon border to Monterey, Kings, and Tulare counties and is part of the global organization of Special Olympics. Athletes do not need previous sports experience, and volunteer coaches provide training and guide them in practice and at competitions. Special Olympics requires the extraordinary support and time of 17,140 volunteers and volunteer coaches. Special Olympics is about more than just sports – it’s training for life. Athletes build meaningful friendships with their teammates, coaches, and volunteers. The social skills developed transcend the

playing field to produce athletes who are productive members of society. SONC also provides Special Olympics in more than 300 K-12 public schools through its Schools Partnership Program, which positively impacts 36,560 general and special education students. Special Olympics assists schools in initiating Unified Sports – where students with and without disabilities compete on the same team and other sports during the school day. General education and special education students work together to create climates of inclusion, acceptance, and respect on campuses and communities. Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and events. Special Olympics Northern California hosts a variety of fun events that the community is encouraged to attend, such as the annual Bike the Bridges, fundraisers at local restaurants, golf outings, bocce tournaments, and more. To find an event, register an athlete, or become a volunteer, visit www.SONC. org or join us at www.Facebook.com/ SONorCal.

Relay for Life

Butterflies To Fly at May 30 Relay

Nearly 100 Monarch butterflies will be released at this year’s Pleasant Hill Relay For Life to symbolize – “on the wings of hope” – a wish for the end of cancer in our lifetime. The 2015 Relay will be held the weekend of May 30-31 at the Pleasant Hill Middle School track. It is an awareness and fund raising event for the American Cancer Society. The 10am kickoff on Saturday will salute cancer survivors and the butterflies will be released later that morning. The Relay continues overnight to signify that cancer never sleeps and neither does the

fight against it. Family-friendly, the Relay is open to all who may wish to walk the track or participate in fun events. A “kids zone” will have activities for children. A solemn Luminaria ceremony will be held after sundown to remember those who are fighting or have lost the fight against cancer. The evening will be illuminated by glow sticks. Details about the PH Relay can be found on its website, http://relayforlife.org/ pleasanthillca, by e-mailing relayforlifeph@ yahoo.com, or by calling 925-944-4898.

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County News Concord Naval Weapons Station Repurposed The first of its kind, a Connected Vehicle - Autonomous Vehicle testing site has been established at the 5,000 acre Concord Naval Weapons Station property. In partnership with the City of Concord, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and car manufacturers like Honda and Mercedes Benz, this new initiative, called GoMentum Station, will test new, state-of-the-art advanced technologies for automated features on future vehicles. In the quest for a “collision-free” driving experience, technology experts will be using the Concord Naval Weapons Station’s 20 miles of roads, buildings, slopes, tunnels and other infrastructure to test new automated driving technologies. Honda, for example, has already created a vehicle that can safely conduct automated freeway merging and lane changing. This new GoMentum Station makes Central Contra Costa the “go-to” hub for new automated car innovations that will ultimately promote smart vehicles to

increase safety on the roads for all our nation’s drivers. For more information, please visit gomentumstation.net. Central County’s First  Family Justice Center Now Open The Central Family Justice Center located in downtown Concord, celebrated its official grand opening last month and is the first of its kind in Central Contra Costa County. Now, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking will have a place to go in Central Contra Costa County to get comprehensive assistance to get out of harm’s way and obtain the services they need to heal and move forward in their lives. Victims and their children are often so frustrated and overwhelmed when maneuvering through the numerous bureaucracies that they forgo the help they need and return home to potentially dangerous environments. Opening Central County’s first Family Justice Center will hopefully make it easier

for victims to get the immediate help they need, and plan to serve over 2,000 individuals each year. The Justice Center is located at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 201, at Todos Santos Plaza. 8th Annual Global Multicultural Concert The public is invited to enjoy an evening of music and worship that celebrates diversity in a colorful concert featuring choirs, worship bands, children’s choir, and dance teams from many of the cultures represented in the Bay Area, and beyond! Included are participants from Burma, and Indonesian worship dance, African-American Gospel choirs, European and Romanian Praise Lamb Missionary Men’s Choir,

Russian, Messianic Jew, Korean Drum and Body worship, China, Japanese Children’s Choir, Hispanic Churches Union Band, Song & Harp; Pacific Islander and Hawaiian performances and so much more. Performers are from many different churches and traditions, coming together to pour out their hearts in this performance. The entire group will perform “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America “ on the stage as the finale. The message of hope and spiritual strength comes through the music of this unique and inspiring gathering. Sunday, May 24, 6-8pm, at Oak Park Christian Center, 2073 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill. Concert is free; donations are accepted.

At Mount Diablo Solano Oncology Group, we’ve been helping patients face the challenge of cancer since 1992. We provide cutting-edge treatment with a collaborative approach that includes other medical specialists and resources to ensure you receive the care and support you need, right here in your own community. Our team will design a treatment plan tailored to your needs by caring for all of you, not just your cancer. Call today to schedule an appointment! Our team is here to assist you.

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Martinez Senior Activities 818 Green Street, Martinez 925-370-8770

May 7 - Mother’s Day Bingo Special Join us in celebrating Mother’s Day with another “Special Bingo Day.” All regular games will have a $50 “pot” and prizes given out in between. Come join the party! We start selling “packs” at 12pm; games begin at 1pm. May 10 - Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast 8-11am. This delicious breakfast includes pancakes or toast, sausage, eggs, orange juice, and coffee. Everyone is welcome. Cost is $4.00 for adults/$2.50 for children 10 and under. Handmade crafts, perfect for gifts, will be on sale during the breakfast. May 22 - Vagabond Players present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Doors open at 12:45pm/performance at 1pm/buffet served after. This vaudevillian musical comedy’s humor is broad, bawdy, fast-paced, and very funny! A rip-roaring farce with famous songs like “Comedy Tonight” and “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid.” Cost: $10 members/$12 non-members. Enjoy an appetizer buffet after the play. Tickets on sale until the deadline, Wednesday, May 20. May 29 - AARP Refresher Course 10am-3pm with a 30-minute lunch break. This one-day 4.5-hour course is for those who took the 8-hour AARP Driver Safety Training in the past 4 years. Either course qualifies you for a mature driver discount with your auto insurance company. Check with your insurance agent for details. Make checks payable to “AARP” at the time of registration. No cash accepted. If registration is made by phone, mail check to the center prior to class. Cost $15 for AARP members/$20 for non-AARP members. Bring your AARP membership card to the first class. Come to the center or call the office to register for this class, (925) 370-8770.

Pleasant Hill Senior Activities 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill 925-798-8788

Rewards of Walking Prescriptions for Life The sun is out and flowers are blooming. Friendship and fitness are two prescriptions for keeping the golden in your years. Why not do both at the same time? Walking and swimming groups are alive and keeping people well right here in Pleasant Hill. The Irvin Deutscher YMCA offers daily classes in water aerobics, arthritis aerobics, and lap swimming. Fitness and friendships bloom together in these classes. Hippocrates said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” One of the most popular trails in the park district system is the Contra Costa Canal Trail. It is a paved pathway (accessible to wheelchairs) and meanders along the Contra Costa Canal. Many walk its pleasant paths; others rest at benches along the way or feed the ducks. If you like company on your walks, just type in “Walking for Fitness in Pleasant Hill” in your browser (http:// walking-for-fitness.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/pleasant_hill/) and multiple meet-up sites will appear. If you are into fitness and a fast pace, or have

chronic pain, there is a walking group for you! Walking and water fitness can: • Reduce risk of coronary heart disease and stroke • Reduce high cholesterol • Lower blood pressure • Reduce risk of colon cancer • Reduce body fat • Increase bone density and help prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis • Reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes • Help with overall flexibility • Increase mental well being Stay young by staying fit: Fit and active people have approximately half the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to unfit people. In addition, fit people tend to sleep better, have better coordination, greater flexibility, and stronger bones. Fit people are less likely to fall and suffer injuries such as hip fractures and are less prone to depression and anxiety. Spring is in the air. Let’s get out there! Submitted by the Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging.

Diablo Women’s Chorale

May 8 - Laugh, Love, and Learn Senior Live Well Forum 10am-2pm. Enjoy a full day of educational and uplifting speakers, plus lunch and the opportunity to win raffle prizes. All funds raised benefit the Senior Center Care Management Program. Tickets: Pre-sale $25 (60+ years)/$30 (general); At the door (if available) $35 (60+ years); $40 general. Call or visit the Senior Center to register. No refunds. Come early for the Free Ultimate Senior Resource Fair, 8:30 am–1:00 pm. Over 50 vendors from the local area and free giveaways! May 14 - CMP Series presents: “Which Assisted Living Community is Right for Me?” 2pm. Presented by Lori Bastian, Chateaus of Pleasant Hill. Presentations are free, but space is limited, so please call (925) 798-8788 to reserve your spot. Sponsored by the Chateaus of Pleasant Hill. May 22 - Memorial Day Social 1:30pm. Celebrate our veterans with a program featuring PHSC’s Golden Notes Choir and Olympic High School’s JROTC. Ice cream served after the show. May 29 - Vagabond Players present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Broadway hit comedy musical about mistaken identities. Set in Rome during the early years of the Roman Empire, it opens with one of the musical’s most famous songs, “Comedy Tonight.” Tickets at Senior Center: $10 pre-sale or $15 day of performance. June 5 - Senior Prom 5:30pm. Want to go back in time to your high school prom? Here’s your chance! Dinner, dessert, photo booth, and live music by the Paul Fontes Band. Held in Senior Center Chateau Room. Tickets: $25 per person. Advanced ticket sales only (not available at door). Purchase tickets at Senior Center.

The Diablo Women’s Chorale invites you to join us as we present “Get Happy”, May 15th and 16th, at Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Show times are 7:30pm Friday night and 2pm Saturday. Advance tickets are $16.00 General Admission, $10.00 Student, $20.00 Premium seating. Tickets purchased at the door will be $20.00 Adult and $10.00 Student. Tickets can be purchased on our website at www.DiabloWomensChorale.org or call 800-838-3006. The Diablo Women’s Chorale (DWC) has been entertaining local audiences since 1943. Women from all areas of the San Francisco East Bay share a passion for music and a gratifying sense of communal sharing and fun. The group has 35 singers and favors mostly American music in a variety of styles. DWC welcomes new members in September and January and presents concerts in December and late spring. For more information about DWC, visit www.diablowomenschorale.org. ourcommunityfocus.com • may 2015

P L E A S A N T

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C H A M B E R

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C O M M E R C E

It’s Your Business.

Consumers are more likely to do business with a company if it’s a member of their local chamber of commerce. BUSINESS RUNWAY 2015 Grow your business by

“growing” your employees!

Resources to Propel Your Business.

Access to Capital “Show Me the Money!”

JFK University has partnered with the Pleasant Hill Chamber so that your employees can learn the cutting edge skills needed to keep your business competitive.

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Choose from distinguished master’s and bachelor’s degree programs.

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Get practical advice from experienced, successful faculty.

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Take advantage of a special 10% tuition reduction available for Pleasant Hill Chamber members.

For details, contact Marcey Vasumpaur at mvasumpaur@jfku.edu or 925.969.3537.

Lending Panel focused on Small Business Loans and Micro Loans

Thursday, June 11 John F. Kennedy University • 100 Ellinwood Way, PH

Registration 7:30 am Lending Panel 8:00 - 10:00 am Resource Fair 10:00 - 11:30 am